Yellow now rules the wide fields of Chandpur. Flowers of early mustard varieties have covered field after field in a bright yellow glow. Swaying in the cold breeze, the blossoms are delighting passers-by and visitors, and satisfying farmers too.

Farmers are cheered by the abundance of flowers, and honey collectors who gather from the mustard fields share their joy. After good yields and satisfactory prices over the past few years, more farmers than before have taken up mustard this season.

According to the agriculture office, about 1,555 hectares in Matlab upazila have been sown this season with improved varieties including BARI Sarisha-9, 11, 14 and 18 and BINA Sarisha-4 and 9.

On the ground, mustard has been grown widely in the Meghna-Dhonagoda irrigation project area and the upazila's char lands. Field after field shows nothing but yellow. Mustard grown here meets local demand and is also sent to wholesale markets across the country. With larger acreage and favourable weather this season, farmers are hoping for a bumper crop.

Abul Kalam, a farmer from Adhurbhiti village in the upazila, said: "This year we have sown far more mustard than before. If the weather stays favourable like this, we hope for a good yield."

Aklima Begum, a woman farmer from Kandi village in Chankhar Beel, said mustard needs little extra spending from sowing onwards. "This year I have sown mustard on 35 decimals, and my younger brother Kalam on 23 decimals. You only need to apply fertiliser; there is no separate irrigation. So we are making a good profit from mustard."

Dulal Mia, who collects honey from mustard fields, said: "There are many more mustard fields this year than last. So we expect more honey this year too."

Upazila agriculture officer Faisal Mohammad Ali said mustard is a low-cost, profitable crop. "With favourable weather and growing interest among farmers this season, mustard cultivation has risen significantly. If the yield is good, farmers will benefit financially, and it will also play an important role in meeting demand for edible oil."

Reported by Shariful Islam.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.